Happy Endings Do Exist (WLP)

[illbeyoursoldier]

I purchased an adult White-Lipped (D"Alberts) Python at one of the Hamburg shows earlier this year. She was on the table with a a male of about the same age/size both as fresh imports, only in the states for a couple weeks, maybe. The guy described the snakes as dog-tame. Upon inspection, she had several marks and scars, and I eventually gave in and told the man that she had mouth rot. At first he acted like he had no idea, but than confessed that they would be frozen if they were not sold at the show. I picked up a decently sick snake for pennies of what she's worth, thinking I could take this on. If I failed, honestly, what would I be loosing?

I had her seen by one of the exotic vets at my job. To briefly describe her treatments: we immediately started her on Ceftazadine/Fortaz Injections to treat the URI/mouth rot... at first every 48hrs, than down to every 72 hours. She was showing no real symptoms of a URI, but mouth rot is always a secondary infection, so I opted to assume it was there and treated it, rather than spending a lot of money on cultures that I felt way too stressful for a sick snake. I cleaned her mouth twice a day for several weeks with a concentrated Chlorhexiderm Solution with a few drops of Betadine to make it a light tea color, and than gradually transition to once a day. I also soaked her about every other day for about 2 weeks to treat some of her skin.

She was super friendly docile snake (especially for a White-Lipped), but the poor thing was honestly not that gentle, but just THAT lethargic. At first these medications were a one-person job. She would let me hold her, pry open her mouth, clean it, and stick needles in her all by myself. As a vet-tech, I honestly thought she would not survive -- it was something I embraced in the beginning. I've never seen a snake act that sick before, shy of being unresponsive. I named her "Vivianna," a Latin/Italian name meaning "Alive," in hopes that a strong name might give her some sort of luck. It was a slow transition, but she gradually started to struggle little by little, and become the opposing White-Lipped Python she should be. I was ecstatic the first day I called Frank up to hold her tail for me so I could finish her treatments. I was even more ecstatic when she had her first perfect shed, and than her second... and her beautiful natural iridescence the species should have started to show through, and the black started to get more and more solid.

Long story short, several sheds & months later, with a clear mouth & wheezeless lungs, Vivianna took her first meal about 24 hours ago. She had been getting force fed every 10 days when I started to realize she was loosing too much weight. I did myself the biggest jump-and-down happy dance when she ate one large live mouse on her own.

She now acts like what I feel (in my experience) of what a White-Lipped Python should. She is still friendly as hell, but comes out of her cage on a hook. She is content with wrapping around your wrist and hanging out, but she is still very energetic, sometimes even wirey, and assertive.

So now, I proudly present for the first time, Vivianna -- my 4.5 foot White-Lipped Python. Clean, Mouth-Infection-Free, and with a little bit of meal in her.

[LadyBloodRose]

AWSOME JOB!!!
Great story I'm glad that this girl was lucky enoughto find her way into your hands an recive such loving care congradulations on all your hard work

[Joel]

Nice job, Chelsea!  She looks to be doing well.

[illbeyoursoldier]

Thanks guys!! I appreciate the kind words. I have a decent amount of experience with URI's, mouth rot, and scale rot, but I wasn't so sure about this girl. I'm really glad she's made a turn around. Also, ignore my scratched up arm and hands in the photos, LoL. That's my cat-restraining arm, hehe!

[Bree]

You really impress me Chelsea....I'm just...impressed! wow.  She's a total beauty!  lol your arm looks like mine most of the time!

[Southern_Boa_Gurl]

Aaaw that's completely aswesome Chelsea!!!  I'm so happy to hear that all your hard work and understanding and compassion paid off.  She's a beautiful girl!!!  You're an exceptional person and I'm positive you'll make a fantastic vet as well!!!!

[ivy_trick_mess]

I must be having technical difficulties...I have tried to post twice on this thread and both times fked it up...was trying to say Ditto to what Tara said this last one...

That is an awesome story Chelsea and when you do become a vet I sure hope you'll move to this area lol that way I would KNOW my kids were cared for!

[collins]

thats just a great story congats at the good work and thanks for saving that beautiful animals life

[nesser]

Awesome Job! Its always good to hear these kinds of stories. I am proud and super happy that u managed to save this beautifull girls life!!!! 

[crown0826]

amazing story chelsea!! she looks amazing!! one of my favorite pythons